Methods and systems for operating a termination machine

Abstract

A termination system used to apply a terminal to a wire includes a movable ram configured to be driven by a termination machine and tooling coupled to the movable ram and configured to apply the terminal to the wire. A smart tag having data related to the applicator is configured to communicate with the termination machine to control an operation of the termination machine. Optionally, the smart tag may store data in a memory, and the smart tag may be configured to send data to and receive data from a microprocessor of the termination machine. The smart tag may store at least one type of data including, but not limited to, data relating to a feeding operation of the terminating machine, data relating to a terminating operation of the terminating machine, data relating to set-up parameters for the terminating machine, data relating to changes in the set-up parameters of the terminating machine, data relating to a maintenance schedule of the applicator, and data relating to identification of the applicator.

1 . A termination system used to apply a terminal to a wire, the system comprising: 
 an applicator including a movable ram configured to be driven by a termination machine, and tooling coupled to the movable ram and configured to apply the terminal to the wire; and    a smart tag having data related to the applicator and configured to communicate with the termination machine to control an operation of the termination machine.    
   
   
       2 . A system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the smart tag stores data in a memory.  
   
   
       3 . A system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the smart tag is configured to send data to and receive data from a microprocessor of the termination machine.  
   
   
       4 . A system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the smart tag is permanently mounted to the applicator.  
   
   
       5 . A system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the smart tag communicates with the termination machine via one of a wired and a wireless connection.  
   
   
       6 . A system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the smart tag includes a microprocessor and a memory for storing data.  
   
   
       7 . A system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the smart tag stores at least one of: 
 data relating to a feeding operation of the terminating machine;    data relating to a terminating operation of the terminating machine;    data relating to set-up parameters for the terminating machine;    data relating to changes in the set-up parameters of the terminating machine;    data relating to a maintenance schedule of the applicator; and    data relating to identification of the applicator.    
   
   
       8 . A system in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising a termination machine having an operating system and configured to receive more than one type of applicator, the termination machine receiving the applicator such that the smart tag communicates with the operating system.  
   
   
       9 . A termination system for applying a terminal to a wire, the termination system comprising: 
 an applicator having a movable ram, tooling coupled to the movable ram and configured to apply the terminal to the wire, and a smart tag having data relating to the applicator; and    a termination machine having a driving mechanism coupled to the movable ram for driving the movable ram along a termination stroke and an operating system configured to operate the driving mechanism, wherein the operating system communicates with the smart tag to control an operation of the termination machine.    
   
   
       10 . A termination system in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein the smart tag stores data in a memory.  
   
   
       11 . A termination system in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein the smart tag sends data to, and receives data from, a microprocessor of the termination machine.  
   
   
       12 . A termination system in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein the smart tag stores at least one of: 
 data relating to a feeding operation of the terminating machine;    data relating to a terminating operation of the terminating machine;    data relating to set-up parameters for the terminating machine;    data relating to changes in the set-up parameters of the terminating machine;    data relating to a maintenance schedule of the applicator; and    data relating to identification of the applicator.    
   
   
       13 . A termination system in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein the operating system includes a microprocessor for controlling the operation of the driving mechanism, wherein the microprocessor communicates with the smart tag.  
   
   
       14 . A termination system in accordance with  claim 9 , further comprising a feeder configured to feed the terminals to the tooling, the feeder coupled to the actuator and controlled by the operating system, the feeder being operated by the operating system based on the data stored by the smart tag.  
   
   
       15 . A termination system in accordance with  claim 9 , further comprising an electrically actuated feeder configured to feed the terminals to the tooling, the feeder includes a feeder smart tag having data relating to the operation of the feeder, wherein the feeder smart tag communicates the data to the operating system.  
   
   
       16 . A method of operating a termination machine including an applicator having a smart tag, the method comprising: 
 storing terminal crimping applicator specific data in the smart tag of the applicator;    mounting the applicator onto the termination machine;    uploading the data to the termination machine; and    operating the termination machine based on the uploaded data.    
   
   
       17 . A method in accordance with  claim 16 , wherein the data includes setup data for the termination machine.  
   
   
       18 . A method in accordance with  claim 16 , wherein the data includes setup data for the termination machine, and wherein the setup data is updatable and the updated setup data is stored on the smart tag.  
   
   
       19 . A method in accordance with  claim 16 , wherein the data is uploaded to the termination machine via one of a wired or wireless connection between the applicator and a microprocessor of the termination machine.  
   
   
       20 . A method comprising assembling a termination machine configured to operate in accordance with  claim 16.